So you are going to Morocco?
You are in for the ride of a lifetime!
Did you know it’s possible to spend a night in the Sahara Desert?
A Morocco desert experience is a fabulous thing to do and we have some tried and tested tips for what to wear on a camel ride in Morocco.
Morocco is a highly intoxicating country. As soon as I knew we were Morocco bound, Sahara Desert Trips from Marrakech were all I could think about and the first thing we did.
It was our only Splurge – if only I’d had my handy Sahara Desert Trip Packing List beforehand.
It’s no surprise there are different kinds of Sahara Desert Tours from Marrakech. You can read about them and book them in this section.
All of the tours below (apart from one) are Sahara Desert Tours from Marrakech to Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
From Merzouga transfer to camels and ride into and spend the night in the Sahara. The camel ride and desert camp is included in the overall cost and is organised for you as part of the tour.
If you are already at Merzouga, or intend driving there in your own vehicle, this is the Sahara Desert tour to book.
A word about Trustworthy Sahara Desert Tour Booking Agents and Tours.
You could wait until arriving in Marrakech to book your desert tour.
In some places I am quite confident in doing this but Marrakech and Morocco was an unknown for us so I took time to research the hell out of it.
I READ ALL THE REVIEWS before booking.
We knew what we were paying for and what to expect, which in turn meant we could relax and enjoy the experience without any rude shocks.
What to expect on a Sahara Desert Tour
Who Pays for Food on a Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech?
It is common on most tours to pay for your own drinks and lunch.
Breakfast and Dinner was included on our trip.
Be aware that even if you are paying for your own lunch and drinks it is expected that you do so at an establishment pre-arranged by the tour company. There is no doubt the guide/company gets a kick back from the proprietor. We went with the flow and obliged. I guess it is possible to eat elsewhere, but it might create friction with the guide or driver who is looking after you and facilitating your trip. I am sure we could have eaten cheaper on our trip, but we were happy with the standard of food we ate and no-one got desert belly.
Make your wishes be known when on a private desert tour.
If there is a Berber Market being held in a town you drive through, apply pressure to stop and visit. The guide might prefer to go somewhere where he can earn commission but if enough passengers apply pressure to stop he should capitulate.
Best Sahara Desert Tours as curated by us.
3 day Viator Morocco desert trip. Has good reviews but seems a little pricey.
3 day Get Your Guide private tour Has good reviews and is cheaper than the one above.
This Get Your Guide Tour is the Best Value Sahara Desert Tour and has good reviews. If your Sahara Desert Tour is not a big spend item (they can’t all be) and you don’t mind making the trip with up to 17 people (still a small group) this is the cheapest three day of the lot.
The Camel Ride into the Sahara Desert at the end of Day 2 of our 3 Day Tour.
In the afternoon of the second day of the trip, we left our 4WD tour vehicle in the mud brick town of Merzouga (560 km from Marrakech) on the edge of the Sahara, mounted our camels and rode off to our Morocco Sahara Desert Camp.
Read about the previous Day and the Day before arriving at Merzouga and transferring to the camels.
- Part 1 – Argan Oil and Mountains
- Part 2 – Atlas Mountains
- Part 3 – Ait Ben Haddou
- Part 4 – Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge
Read about the Camel Ride and Sahara Desert Camp
After 1.5 hours and with civilisation well and truly behind us, we arrived at the desert camp. Nights are spent either snuggled under blankets in Winter in a Berber Tent or Alfresco on the sands with only stars above in Summer.
Morocco Desert Trip Packing List including what to wear on a camel ride in Morocco
When civilisation disappears behind those silent red dunes and after reading our Desert Packing List, you can luxuriate in the knowledge that you come prepared.
What should NOT be taken into the desert.
The first thing to know even before leaving Marrakech is to leave big pieces of luggage behind. If that is not possible, simply lock them in the vehicle you arrive in. It’s not possible to take them on your camel and there is no other way into the desert camp than by camel.
Your bag will be slung from the camel’s saddle pommel.
If it is too bulky or heavy the saddle could pull to one side. I personally would be afraid of falling off if that were to happen. You might think a sand landing would be soft, but let me tell you those camels are tall. Camels are tied together one behind the other, so my worry would be the camel behind standing on me.
If none of the above bothers you, also consider that too much luggage would encroach on your sitting space.
Riding a camel is fun, exotic, exhilarating and uncomfortable and you won’t want the extra hassle – believe me.
A medium sized backpack would be ideal – but your tour company probably has rules regarding size.
This list has been prepared with women in mind – men can omit the obvious!
What you should wear on a camel ride in Morocco.
- Clothes with zippered pockets. This has to be our No. 1 Tip. Our group of seven dropped a pair of sunglasses, a phone and had paper money blow out of a pocket never to be seen again. Luckily the camels missed the glasses and phone and our camel driver rescued them. Remember you can’t just get off your camel to pick stuff up – the driver controls the camels and usually the camel only sits at the beginning and end of the ride when given the command from the driver.
- Comfortable Clothes – Long and Loose is the name of the game for external clothing and comfortable bra and bikini briefs that won’t ride up your bum! A girl in our group wore short shorts and experienced chaffing and there was nowhere to purchase cream to relieve it. It seems silly to say it out loud but – there are no shops in the desert.
- A scarf that can be turned into a turban. It should be long enough so that it can be drawn across your face. This is not for show. Our driver tied mine for me and it kept the sand out of my nose and mouth when the wind started blowing.
- A tight fitting cap or hat if you do not want to wear a turban.
- Camera – It should be small enough to tuck securely into a pocket but easily accessible for on the go photos. If or when the sand starts blowing you don’t want to be fumbling for covers for an expensive camera. If you are taking a bigger expensive camera, store it in your backpack and only use it at the desert camp.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Moisturizer.
- Female Hygiene Items.
- Zip Lock Plastic Bag for used tampons and wet wipes – unless you want the camel driver to have to dispose of them from the “kitty litter” toilets. Our toilet was a tent with a shallow pan of sand over which we squatted. I guess it got cleaned out after each group left! In our case we were the last trip of the season so I know it did.
- Wet Wipes – there is NO water at the camp, apart from what you bring with you.
- Imodium or similar (just in case) and any other medications you might possibly need.
- Paracetamol for those post ride aching muscles. You may have ridden a camel along a beach before, but this is different. Going up and down sand dunes for 1.5 hours takes a lot of hanging on with muscles you never knew you had. The next morning when those muscles are screaming, you need to spring out of bed, eat a quick breakfast and tackle the return trip – this time with shaky muscles.
- Bottled water – Our tour car driver insisted we buy two large bottles of water each at the last petrol station before Merzouga. This water was non-negotiable, carried on our own camels and secured by the camel driver.
- Sleeping Sheet – Enquire about bedding and linen when you book your trip. Ours was fine but I have heard of tours with just a rough blanket in winter and no linen in summer or winter. As it was very hot on our visit we packed satin sleeping bags purchased previously in Vietnam. They are light, comfy and didn’t take much space.
- Warm Sleeping Bag in Winter – ask your tour company what blankets are provided – then read reviews for traveller’s opinions.
- Hat, Gloves, Warm Socks, Fleece and Thermals in winter!
- A power bank for charging – there won’t be electricity in camp.
Happy packing, and let me know if you are planning a desert trip!
Read this do-it-yourself 10 day Morocco Tour prepared by Sandy at Tray Tables Away.
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Now that is one big adventure! Cant say that I have ever wanted to try camel riding, but it sure sounds like fun – how did you cope with no water, and no toilets (like the ones we have)!
Hi Lisa, We were only there overnight and left early in the morning so it wasn’t a problem. We didn’t shower, just used wet ones. It is a dry country, so not drinking alcohol helped. The main attraction was the desert which was beautiful.
Jan
I’m planning a trip like yours from Merzuega in mid-June. Thanks for all the tips – any others you want to add for June? Will I still need a jacket for night?
Hi Helen. Lucky you! I guess the need for a jacket would depend on where you normally live. The temperature overnight would most likely be 18 degrees. It is quite warm in the berber tents. I’d pack a light jacket but then I live in a hot climate. I would ask the company you are going with. Enjoy!
It is my dream to travel to and through the desert one day, especially since much of our medieval reenactment is based in the Middle East. I would love to see it in person and not just read about it in books. 🙂
The middle east is an exciting destination for sure. I can imagine how interested in it you are through your medieval reenactments.